Pittsburgh Steelers provide crucial T.J. Watt status update

The Pittsburgh Steelers put to rest any speculation on T.J. Watt’s Week 3 status on Saturday, as the organization announced that the star outside linebacker has been downgraded to out for the Steelers’ matchup against the Bengals.

Watt has been battling a groin injury that he suffered last week against the Las Vegas Raiders. He was a limited participant in the Steelers’ Wednesday and Thursday practices, and on Friday, Watt provided an update on the ailment.

“I think it’s any soft-tissue injury, to be honest with you. This isn’t going around playing Pee Wee football — this is playing with guys who do this for a living,” Watt said. “So it’s just trying to be smart. But at the same time, just knowing your body more than anything. And like I said, I felt like I was able to do a good amount this week to leave the door open for Sunday.”

TJ Watt was close to playing

Although the door has now been closed, Watt at one point seemed to be trending towards an active status, saying, “if I’m going to play, I’m going to play like I always do.” According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Watt was “close” to playing; however, it was the team’s decision to “protect him from himself” and rule Watt out, Rapoport said, despite whether or not the star believes he’s ready to go.

Even in the linebacker’s absence, the Steelers were able to limit the Raiders rushing offense last week. However, it ultimately wasn’t enough, as Derek Carr’s 28-for-37, 282-yard, two-touchdown performance outweighed the Raiders’ mediocre 25-carry, 52-yard rushing performance and beat the Steelers. Regardless, Watt’s injury could be detrimental to the Steelers, who attributed a large part of their Week 1 success to his ability to stop Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.

Through two weeks — and only one full game played, due to the groin injury against the Raiders — Watt has forced two fumbles, tallied three sacks and notched seven total tackles.

Watt and the Steelers agreed to a new megadeal on prior to the season, as he inked a four-year contract extension worth more than $112 million, making him the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL. Watt’s contract extension with the Steelers pays an average of $28.003 million per year, with $80 million guaranteed at signing.

Watt, a 2017 first-round pick out of Wisconsin, has only improved on the pass-rushing prowess he displayed with the Badgers. He’s been named to three Pro Bowls in four NFL seasons, two first-team All-Pro mentions and one second team All-Pro distinction. Watt finished the 2020 season as the NFL’s sacks leader, winning the Deacon Jones Award, and he’s notched 49.5 sacks in four seasons. In college, Watt was named to the All-Big Ten first team and All-American second team in 2016, his final season at Wisconsin.